Tribal Leadership

Barbi Gardiner holds a Master of Library Science degree and has spent her career in service to community — as a school and public librarian, as Town Clerk for the Town of Plainfield, Connecticut, and now as the voice behind The Outdoor Apothecary, a widely read blog devoted to bioregional herbalism, foraging, and seasonal living rooted in the New England landscape. Barbi has served her tribal community with over twelve years of service on the Tribal Council. She currently holds the office of Vice Chair and serves as Chair of the Tribal Enrollment Committee, where she oversees tribal roll integrity and leads the issuance of tribal identification cards. Throughout her years of service, Barbi has worked to strengthen relationships among Indigenous communities while advocating for the recognition, dignity, and continued presence of Nipmuck people within their ancestral homelands.

Jolene Jalbert, M.Ed., is an educator, literacy leader, and dedicated community advocate whose work centers on supporting future generations through education, service, and cultural stewardship. She serves as a Literacy Leader and Reading Specialist at Brookfield Elementary School and as an Adjunct Professor at Worcester State University, where she helps prepare future educators in evidence-based literacy practices. Jolene also serves as Secretary and Councilwoman for the Chaubunagungamaug Band of Nipmuck Indians. In this role, she contributes to the Events, Enrollment, Leadership, and Monson Cedar Swamp Committees, supporting community engagement, cultural preservation, and the stewardship of tribal lands. Guided by a commitment to learning, equity, and collective well-being, Jolene strives to honor those who came before her while helping build a strong foundation for the next seven generations.

Penny Jimenez is an experienced human services professional with more than 20 years in the field, including the past 15 years with a nonprofit organization specializing in mental health services. As a Director, she has dedicated her career to improving the lives of vulnerable and underserved populations through compassionate leadership and advocacy. In addition to her professional work, Penny serves as Treasurer and Cultural Coordinator for the CBNI Council, helping lead the Powwow and Nikkommo committees while also contributing to leadership and cultural preservation initiatives. Deeply committed to family, community, and cultural stewardship, Penny is passionate about the revitalization and preservation of CBNI history, culture, language, and traditions. She actively shares her knowledge by teaching traditional crafts to younger generations and remains dedicated to fostering pride and connection within the Nipmuc/k communities.

Liz Santana-Kiser is an Elder, Councilor, and Tribal Historian Preservation Officer. For more than five decades, she has worked at the forefront of improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous People. She founded the Nipmuck Women’s Health Coalition, co-founded the Nipmuc Family Dental Clinic, worked with the Great Brook Valley Health Center, and collaborated with the University of Massachusetts Medical School to coordinate the first major conferences on health disparities affecting Nipmuck peoples. Liz currently serves on the 1676 Battle of Great Falls Advisory Board, Harvard Alumni Committee on Developing Educational Module on Ethics in Public Health, The Stolen Relations Project on Indigenous Slavery at Brown University, and the Worcester Art Museum Community and Cultural Groups for Reinstallation of American Art Galleries. She has earned many prestigious awards including her prized Eagle Feather, for her years of work and dedication to the revitalization and wellbeing of indigenous Nipmuc/k people and beyond.

Tanya Williams brings more than 21 years of experience in the insurance industry, with strengths in quality analysis, training, and management. Beyond her professional work, she is an active and dedicated member of her community, serving on the Powwow Committee, Enrollment Committee, and the Nipmuck Cultural Council. Tanya is deeply committed to preserving and sharing Nipmuck traditions, passing cultural knowledge to her children and grandchildren so future generations remain rooted in their identity. She is also devoted to raising awareness and education around MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women), working to ensure that their stories, voices, and truths are honored and never forgotten.

Kate Gardiner is the illustrator of several acclaimed picture books, including Sometimes We Fall, which received two starred reviews and was described as “a soothing spell” by The New York Times. She is a recipient of grants from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation and the Albert K. Murray Foundation. Kate received her BFA in illustration at Maine College of Art & Design in 2020. Kate’s debut book as both author and illustrator is slated for publication in 2027. Select clients include: HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Candlewick and Abrams Books. Kate currently serves as a council member and contributes her time by designing powwow shirts as well as helping to manage the Nipmuck website.

Patricia Mawhinney is an experienced financial professional with more than 30 years of expertise in accounts payable. She currently works for a well-known transportation company specializing in the transport of luxury vehicles, where her responsibilities include accounts payable, payroll administration, and tax filings. Patricia has served on the CBNI Council for the past year and a half and is a member of the Enrollment Committee. She is also an active participant in the Powwow, Nikommo, and Monson Cedar Swamp Committees, contributing her time and efforts to support community engagement, cultural activities, and preservation initiatives. Through both her professional career and community involvement, Patricia demonstrates a strong commitment to service, collaboration, and the continued growth and success of the CBNI community.